Workers demand bigger bonuses

Workers demand bigger bonuses

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of workers from a steel factory on
Jl. Raya Serang in Tangerang went on strike yesterday, demanding
bigger bonuses.

PT Jakarta Steel Perdana Industri workers demanded that the
company double the annual bonuses which are equal to one month's
salary.

They claimed that the amount was not sufficient to cover their
basic needs.

Workers later met with Musjoko, the factory's personnel
manager, along with Marbun from the Tangerang office of the
manpower ministry and Arsad, a representative of the local All-
Indonesian Workers Association.

Musjoko said that he would pass on the workers' demands to the
factory's bosses and a similar dialog would be held on Jan. 8,
next year.

"I will explain this to my superiors. Whether they can fulfill
the workers' demands or not depends totally on the company's
financial condition," he said.

Workers reiterated that the prices of most goods have already
risen ahead of the festive season -- Christmas, New Year, the
Ramadhan fasting month and Idul Fitri.

And they need to return to their hometowns during the Idul
Fitri holiday, 30-year-old Kardi, one of the workers, said.

The workers had filed written statements requesting an
increase in the bonuses but the management had not responded, he
said.

They claimed that their salaries were divided into two
categories: those who had worked for less than 12 months were
paid Rp 176,000 (US$35.20) per month while those who had worked
for more than 18 months received Rp 320,000 per month.

The strike ended peacefully after Musjoko agreed to consult
with the company's management. (41/04)